Proximal and complex hypospadias repairs remain among the most technically demanding procedures in pediatric urology, particularly in patients with inadequate local tissue or previous failed reconstructions. This study reports a five-year institutional experience with a single-stage hybrid technique combining the Snodgrass Tubularized Incised Plate (TIP) repair and the Duckett transverse preputial island flap urethroplasty. Between 2019 and 2024, forty-two patients with severe hypospadias underwent hybrid Snodgrass- Duckett urethroplasty at our institution. Patients were categorized as: Group A (n = 12) with 46,XY Disorders of Sexual Development (DSD); Group B (n = 16) with primary proximal perineoscrotal hypospadias; and Group C (n = 14) with multiple failed prior repairs. The proximal urethra was reconstructed using a Tubularized Native Plate (TNP) and the distal segment with a tubularized preputial island flap (Duckett), joined via an oblique anastomosis. Penile curvature correction and ventral coverage were achieved using lateral flaps. Functional and cosmetic outcomes, as well as complications, were recorded prospectively. A glans-tip meatus was achieved in all patients. Cosmetic appearance was deemed satisfactory in all cases. Uroflowmetry was normal in 95.2% (40/42; 95% CI 86.6- 100). Complications occurred in seven patients (16.7%; 95% CI 5.6-27.7), including urethrocutaneous fistula (n = 4), diverticulum (n = 1), and early breakdown (n = 2), all successfully corrected. Median follow-up was 26 months (IQR 18-36). No urethral strictures or meatal stenosis developed during follow-up. The hybrid Snodgrass-Duckett urethroplasty represents a feasible single-stage alter- native for selected severe hypospadias cases, including reoperative and DSD patients, when local tissue is insufficient. The approach combines the vascular reliability of the preputial flap with the stability of the native urethral plate. While results are encouraging, the retrospective design, absence of a control group, and heterogeneity of the cohort limit generalizability. Prospective multicenter studies with standardized functional and cosmetic scoring are warranted.
The management of a vestibular fistula is a challenge for pediatric surgeons. We compared four different operative techniques in terms of postoperative complications, continence, and cosmetic appearance. This prospective, randomized, comparative study included female children with rectovestibular fistulae who were selected from patients with Anorectal Malformations (ARMs) treated between January 2016 and July 2020. The patients were randomly divided into four groups based on the operative technique: Trans-Sphincter Anorectoplasty (TSARP), Posterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty (PSARP), Classic Anterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty (ASARP), and modified ASARP. The incidence of vestibular fistulae among all patients with ARMs was 13.4%. The total number of patients with vestibular fistula was 112, including eighty-four (75%) with rectovestibular fistulae and twenty-eight (25%) with anovestibular fistulae. Associated congenital anomalies were found in nineteen (22.6%) patients. The percentage of parents satisfied with the cosmetic appearance and continence of their children was the highest after TSARP. PSARP had the lowest incidence regarding vaginal wall injuries. TSARP is the best operative technique for handling rectovestibular fistulae and is suitable for infants and children. In the TSARP technique, the external sphincter muscle can be preserved following complete dissection of the rectum without the need for a midline skin incision. A midline skin incision is required in the modified ASARP technique.
Primary closure techniques that have been updated and longterm follow-up for CBE (classic bladder exstrophy) may be out of reach for many patients living in resource-limited settings. Late referrals to medical care and primary closures that lack the necessary skills and facilities for comprehensive treatment are still common. Alternative and long-term surgical solutions may improve the lives of these unfortunate patients. During surgical outreach missions, patients with CBE, either non-operated or with a previous unsuccessful bladder closure, who were referred from vast under-resourced rural areas to three Eastern African hospitals, were studied. The following information is provided: mode of presentation, clinical history, diagnostic workout, management, and outcome. There were 25 cases (M/F ratio 17/8) ranging in age from two days to twenty years. Five of the seventeen patients who were not treated (35%) were under 120 days old and eligible for primary closure in a qualified tertiary center when one was available in the country. There were twelve late referred cases (ranging from 120 days to 20 years). Between the ages of ten months and twelve years, eight children arrived following a failed primary closure. In all of them, the bladder plate was too altered to allow closure. Following a preoperative diagnostic workout, a Mainz II continent internal diversion was proposed to fourteen patients with acceptable bowel control and postponed in the other three. Three cases were lost before treatment because parents refused the procedure. Twelve cases ranging in age from three to twenty years (mean seven years) were operated on. Eight people were followed for a total of 53.87 months (range: 36-120). Except for three people who complained of occasional night soiling, day and night continence were good. The average voiding frequency during the day was four and 1.3 at night. There was no evidence of a metabolic imbalance, urinary infection, or significant upper urinary tract dilatation. Two fatalities could not be linked to urinary diversion. Four patients were not followed up on. Due to the limited number of specialist surgical facilities, CBE late referral or failed closure is to be expected in a resource-limited context. In lieu of the primary closure, a continent internal diversion will be proposed and encouraged even at the level of a non-specialist hospital to improve the quality of life of these unfortunate patients. It is recommended that patients be warned about the procedure's potential long-term risks, which will necessitate a limited but regular follow-up.
Pediatric Colorectal Diseases (PCRD), mainly Anorectal Malformations (ARM) and Hirschsprung's Disease, are a major issue in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Even with advances in healthcare facilities and global health initiatives, most of children living in low resources SSA lack of specialist pediatric surgical facilities. Improved healthcare access is needed to manage PCRD in these locations, to prevent and reduce missing or delayed diagnosis, early mismanagement by inexperienced health practitioners, and barriers to corrective therapy and long-term follow-up. A retrospective analysis of data from three SSA hospitals shows that international surgical outreach visits helped increase capacity. Along one hundred twentyfour weeks of staggered surgical outreach visits 174 ARM and 64 highly suspected HSCR cases were collected. The study evaluates 152 ARM and 59 HSCR patients who had not been treated before. Those who came after an unsuccessful treatment elsewhere were not included. Management, clinical course, complications and results are reported. Focus is on context-aware adaptive surgery and sustainable solutions to improve outcomes and quality of life for those children, discussing long-term follow-up options and results. The local context has a substantial impact on epidemiology, demographics, and presentation compared to high-resource countries. Intestinal stomas done at a primary health facility level presented at referral to our Hospital with 25% complication rate. Due to social, economical, and transit issues, only 108 ARM and 41 HSCR could finally receive a corrective treatment by the outreach visiting teams. Complications (9.1%) were controlled using adaptive solutions. Only one surgical fatality occurred. A limited proportion of patients (46% ARM, 31% HSCR) attended a regular follow up schedule for one year or more, and finding those lost in wide rural areas was difficult. Successful and comprehensive PCRD management in under-resourced SSA requires better training at the primary health level on early recognition and correct, first surgical approach, together with a referral network to specialist facilities for further treatment. Surgical short-term outreach trips can boost local capability in under-resourced areas. The research of adaptive and sustainable surgical solutions to reduce hospital stay and staged treatments time for PCRD must be emphasised. Nevertheless financial and logistical constraints still challenge post-discharge monitoring and follow-up, which remain crucial for long-term outcome.
Vascular (VH) according to Hellstrom-Chapman technique is considered a safe and effective alternative approach to pure extrinsic Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction (UPJO) with good results in short and medium term, but few data are available on long and verylong term outcomes. Our aim is to evaluate VH long and very-long term outcomes in patients treated in pediatric age focusing on relapse, development of hypertension and/or inferior polar kidney hypotrophy during puberty and adulthood. From 1990 to 2015 in our Department 76 children were treated by open or laparoscopic VH for pure extrinsic-UPJO. We were able to contact 54 of 76. 41 patients (25 males, 16 females) accepted to be studied. Mean follow- up time was 12.7 years (range 6-27 years); mean age at the assessment was 22.2 years. We excluded patients who were younger than 13 (if females) or 14 (if males) at the assessment (upper limits of physiological puberty onset). Patients were followed with US, MAG-3-scan and arterial blood pressure measurement. Collected data were compared with the preoperative ones by Student t-test. 95% of US images and MAG-3-scan reports were compatible with complete resolution of obstruction with good renal functionality. 87% of patients were completely healthy. We recorded 3 cases of hypertension (7%) not secondary to renovascular origin; 2 cases with recurrent flank pain (5%) with slightly dilated pelvis at the US and sub-obstructive pattern at MAG-3-scan with preserved renal function. Our experience confirms that VH, (open/laparoscopic) is a safe and effective procedure with good outcomes at very longterm follow-up. No patients at puberty and in adulthood required reoperation or presented polar hypotrophy and related vascular hypertension. VH is an alternative approach to pure extrinsic-UPJO. There were few data about long and very-long term outcomes in patients after this kind of surgery. We followed-up 41 patients confirming that VH (open/laparoscopic) is safe and effective with good long-term outcomes.
Sub-Saharan Africa has a critical shortage of paediatric surgical resources. Specialists are concentrated in urban centres, leaving rural areas underserved; peripheral hospitals lack trained providers, contributing to suboptimal care. Underdiagnosis and limited surveillance conceal the true disease burden. Short-term outreach has not produced sustainable improvements. Consistent with the Global Surgery 2030 framework, this study holds that sustainable paediatric surgical access requires a deliberate transition from episodic, vertical outreach to a horizontal, locally governed system that is embedded within existing health services and referral networks. This retrospective programme evaluation investigates how a participatory approach at a secondary hospital in Tanzania's rural context can strengthen local providers' capacity and enable the facility to serve as a paediatric surgical hub. A 404-bed charitable secondary-level hospital in the Southern Tanzanian Highlands, 800 km from the nearest tertiary centre, hosted the programme from 2016 to 2026. It evolved from short-term outreach into ongoing training, mentorship, and joint goal-setting, through which local staff acquired skills to manage paediatric cases via surgical tutoring, anaesthesia upgrading, nurse empowerment, and remote consultation. Paediatric procedures rose from 7.2% to 11.9% of total surgical activity (two-sided p<10-16), with a 102.4% increase in general surgical and urological procedures. Local surgeons are now performing all procedures autonomously. The most recent caseload includes many major conditions, with generally favourable outcomes; however, neonatal mortality remains high, mainly due to late referrals and the absence of dedicated postoperative facilities. A participatory approach identified previously unrecognised needs and supported the development of sustainable local capacity. Ongoing training, structured mentorship, and a gradual transfer of responsibility enhanced autonomous practice and increased patient recruitment. Context-sensitive partnerships and sustained educational investment supported skill retention, institutional learning, and the integration of new practices into routine care. These elements are essential to expanding paediatric surgical services in under-resourced settings.
Over the past decades, digital innovation has profoundly transformed pediatric care, promoting more integrated, personalized, and continuous models of assistance across hospital, community, and home settings. This contribution explores the impact of three key technological domains: telemedicine, virtual and augmented reality, and artificial intelligence. Telemedicine has expanded access to healthcare services, improved monitoring of chronic conditions, and strengthened communication between healthcare professionals and families. Its rapid development during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated its value in ensuring continuity of care and supporting vulnerable pediatric populations. Virtual and augmented reality offer new possibilities in surgical planning, medical training, rehabilitation, and psychological support, helping reduce anxiety and pain during procedures while enhancing understanding of clinical pathways. Artificial intelligence enables the analysis of large volumes of clinical and behavioral data, supporting early diagnosis, predictive modeling, and personalized clinical decision-making. Despite these opportunities, the integration of emerging technologies into pediatric practice requires careful attention to ethical, organizational, and educational issues, including data security, equitable access, and professional training. Overall, digital technologies are reshaping pediatrics toward more accessible, efficient, family-centered care.
Gynecomastia is a benign glandular proliferation that can affect adolescents causing significant psychological discomfort. Generally, it is idiopathic but underlying endocrinological conditions must be excluded. Different surgical techniques are available, the surgical correction with subareolar incision achieves the goal of satisfactory aesthetic result for patients. We studied all patients treated for gynecomastia in two centers of pediatric surgery. After collection of a detailed family history, we evaluated the presence of early onset of puberty, congenital abnormalities of the external genitalia, use of drugs, eating habits and the presence of genetic disorders. Laboratory tests and ultrasound were made to exclude endocrinological disorders. The surgical treatment was performed by a subareolar incision with gland and adipose tissue excision. A Body - Q chest module to evaluate patient satisfaction has been proposed to everyone before and after surgery. 47 adolescents with median age of 15 years were surgically treated. Three presented endocrinological disorders. Grade of gynecomastia for surgery was: III in 40 patients and IIb in 7 patients. Postoperative complications occurred in 5 patients. The Body - Q chest module was completed by 42 patients and showed good results for all points analyzed, except for social feelings. Gynecomastia in adolescents can be surgically treated with subareolar incision, reporting good aesthetic results and low incidence of complications. Specific tests are useful to assess patient satisfaction.
Postoperative pain presents several challenges in pediatric Minimally Invasive Surgery. The Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale is a valid scale for pediatric postoperative pain. The aim of our study was to assess postoperative pain using FLACC scale and to analyze the correlation between FLACC scale score and analgesic requirement in children underwent Minimally Invasive Surgery. We retrospectively analyzed data of 153 children aged 2 months-3 years who underwent Minimally Invasive Surgery in our unit from January 2019 and December 2019. Postoperative pain assessment was established using FLACC scale. In each patient were analyzed the correlation between FLACC score and analgesic requirement. Pain evaluation was assigned immediately after surgery and at 15 and 60 minutes. 36.6% of patients (56 children) were asleep so considered pain free; 21.6% of patients (33 children) had a FLACC score more than 7 so they required analgesics and the pain assessment 15 and 60 minutes after was significantly lower. 41.8% of patients (64 children) had a postoperative FLACC score less than 3, so they didn't require any analgesic treatment. On the basis of our results, we recommend FLACC scale for postoperative pain assessment in children underwent MIS aged 2 months-3 years. FLACC scale is an effective and precise scale in detection of postoperative analgesic requirement in children and it could be extended in different age groups with further research.
Dysphagia lusoria is a rare pediatric condition caused by extrinsic compression of the esophagus by an abnormal subclavian artery. The most common congenital abnormality in aortic arch development is an aberrant right subclavian artery. The retroesophageal right subclavian artery is typically symptomatic in 10-33% of cases. The patient, an 8-month-old girl with a history of early dysphagia and stridor, was diagnosed with an abnormal right subclavian artery. She was admitted to the pneumology service multiple times due to stridor, vomiting, and failure to thrive. During hospitalization at the gastroenterology service, a barium swallow and an upper digestive endoscopy indicated an abnormal right subclavian artery, which was confirmed by an Angiography CT scan. She underwent surgery at the age of sixteen months. All symptoms are resolved following surgical intervention, and the patient is still asymptomatic and in good clinical condition 12 months later. Every physician should be aware of abnormal right subclavian arteries and their clinical symptoms in children and adults in order to recognize and diagnose them early. Only an early evaluation may reduce complications such as delayed physical growth, dysphagia, and recurrent respiratory infections.
In pediatric thoracic surgery, reported predictors for increased risk are symptoms and active/previous infections (RAP). We investigated the adverse events related to Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) in pediatric patients when considering RAP predictors. A retrospective analysis of pediatric VATS major lung resections in 2008-2021 was conducted at three institutions. We employed the pediatric surgical risk calculator to define patients' preoperative predicted risk (PredR). Postoperative complications were classified according to the Thoracic Morbidity & Mortality (TM&M) system. The observed TM&M rate (ObsR) and the PredR were compared. A subgroup analysis by RAP predictors was conducted. 37 patients (54% female) were included. Mean age and weight were 5.8 years and 22.8 kg. 56.7% had respiratory symptoms, 38.9% active infection and 59.5% history of infections (RAP subpopulations). VATS procedures were lobectomy (n=32), segmentectomy (n=3), bilobectomy (n=1) and pneumonectomy (n=1). The conversion rate was 5.4%. The mean PredR was of 4.43% (±1.8) and the overall ObsR was 45.94% with a median severity of II (I-III). This difference was significant and a higher PredR was not associated with complications development. PredR does not show association among the RAP vs non-RAP group. ObsR showed positive association with RAP, even if it reached statistical significance only for "respiratory symptoms" risk factor. ObsR reflected the number of bronchiectasis patients in our series (n=9), aligning with the hypothesis of "earlier and safer surgery". The risk calculator underestimates VATS morbidity. Multicentre studies will clarify the correlation between inflammation and surgical adverse events.
Nowadays laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication represents the gold standard in surgical treatment of complicated Gastro-Esophageal-Reflux Disease (GERD), above all in cerebral palsy patients. In non-neurological patients without gastrostomy Nissen fundoplication can create some problems (gas bloat syndrome, dysphagia). Laparoscopic Hill-Snow repair is an established surgical alternative, but it is reported only in adult population. We describe our modification of Hill-Snow technique and our experience in a large series of non-neurological children in order to report its effectiveness and applicability in pediatric patients affected by complicated GERD. Between 2000 and 2022, 319 children underwent surgical correction of gastro-esophageal reflux at our Department. All were affected by complicated gastro-esophageal reflux unresponsive to PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitors). 251 underwent laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication; 68 non-neurological patients underwent laparoscopic Hill-Snow repair. Of these 68 children 48 were males (71%) and 20 females (29%); median age was 5years (3 months-11 years). Weight range was 4-37kg. 52 patients (76.5%) presented the following symptoms: retrosternal pain, dysphagia, regurgitation, coughing, failure to thrive, persisting reflux esophagitis. 16 (23.5%) had chronic respiratory problems (aspiration, apneic-spells, dysphagia, coughing, choking, gagging). For 8 (11.8%) symptoms were expression of chronic recurrent gastric volvulus. All underwent modified-laparoscopic-Hill-Snow repair. Contrast study showed sliding hiatal hernia in 55 patients (81%), while endoscopy demonstrated 16 cases of histologically severe esophagitis (23.5%) and 52 of mild esophagitis (76.5%). No intraoperative/postoperative complications were recorded. 60patients had a complete follow-up (range 1-20 years). 60/68 patients were evaluated with barium-swallow-study at 6-12 months; 40/68 patients with upper-gastrointestinal-endoscopy at 12months. No relapse was reported. 50 patients (73.7%) were symptom-free. 18 (26.3%) referred occasional epigastric pain, associated with vomit in 2 cases. 64 (94.1%) referred ability to vomit; 4 temporary difficulty to swallow (average 30 days). All patients reported being able to burp. 3(4.5%) presented episodes of gas-air-bloat during the first 2 months with spontaneous resolution. No case of dumping syndrome was recorded. This technique's modification yields excellent results in term of relapse and side effects at long-term follow-up. We reported the first and largest pediatric series in non-neurological children with encouraging results.
Hospitalized children receive anxiety-triggering medical procedures, such as inhalation therapy. One non-pharmacological intervention that can be provided to reduce children's anxiety is pop-it therapeutic play. This study aimed to measure the effectiveness of pop-it therapeutic play on children's levels of anxiety during inhalation therapy in children's wards. This study used a randomized control trial involving 66 children aged 1-12 years who received inhalation therapy and were treated in the children's ward from three hospitals in North Sulawesi. The respondents were divided into intervention and control groups, with 33 respondents for each group. The samples were selected using simple random sampling. Anxiety level was assessed using the Visual Facial Anxiety Scale. The findings showed that playing pop-it effectively reduced children's anxiety levels during inhalation therapy, with a p value of 0.000 (α < 0.05). Therefore, playing pop-it is the right solution for children who receive inhalation therapy and is recommended as an alternative toy in hospitals. This finding can be applied in children who receive inhalation therapy because it is easy to do, efficient and effective controlling the children's anxiety.
Infantile Hemangiomas (IH) are the most common benign tumor of infancy, occurring in over 10% of newborns. The head and neck is the most frequently affected area (60%), and the scalp is a typical site for such large lesions. Scalp-IHs are usually focal lesions that can be both disfiguring and may lead to complications such as ulceration and bleeding. We describe a case of a 30-months old female who presented a large scalp-IH at birth that rapidly grew in the first year of life. Topical and systemic treatments (with timolol ointment and oral propranolol, respectively) were not effective in reducing dimensions of the hemangioma. After vascular imaging study, the patient underwent surgical resection of the IH and primary closure with excellent cosmetic outcome. When medical therapy is ineffective or cosmetic and functional integrity is threatened, early surgery allows to completely removing large scalp-IHs, with good cosmetic results.
Nutcracker Syndrome (NCS) is characterized by impeded blood flow from the Left Renal Vein (LRV) into the inferior vena cava due to an abnormally narrow angle between the abdominal aorta and superior mesenteric artery. This syndrome is usually associated with hematuria, abdominal pain and orthostatic proteinuria. We described three patients diagnosed with NCS (mean age 16.3 years). The aortomesenteric angle, LRV diameter ratio and peak velocity ratio were assessed through doppler ultrasonography and CT angiography. A kidney model was printed out for surgical planning. An extravascular stent was designed based on the LRV's structure using computer software and printed in three dimensions with a precision setting of 20μm. Patients underwent laparoscopic placement of the extravascular stent. The mean duration of surgery was 180 minutes. There were no intraoperative complications. CT examinations revealed that pre- and postoperative AMA ranged from 18.7°±4.3° to 55.0°±4.4, respectively. No side effects were observed in the follow-up period (range 12-24 months). At present, treatment guidelines for NCS are unclear, and the different therapeutic principles need to be applied in a patient-specific manner. Our results confirm previous reports in literature concerning the efficacy and safety of ES in pediatric patients.
Congenital Hip Dysplasia (CHD) is characterized by a hip joint dislocation between the femoral head and the acetabulum, with a multifactorial etiology. This disorder can be an isolated condition or the manifestation of a syndromic condition, and it has been estimated with higher rates than registered, with a predominance in female sex and left side; risk factors are now defined. In Italy, the incidence rate is 3-4%, with significant regional differences: higher in Lombardy and lower in Sicily. Because clinical examination alone is insufficient to diagnose CHD, it is supplemented with ultrasonography and X-ray if necessary. Surveillance, static or dynamic splints, or osteotomies are the only treatment options. The goal of this study was to evaluate our experience in terms of management and conservative treatment of all newborns from January 2018 to May 2022: female sex and left hip were major involved, risk factors were not significant in our case, but results from early diagnosis and treatments, in terms of better outcome, were interesting. After a strict 6-month follow-up period, 89.13% of the patients were classified as grade Ia or Ib according to the Graf classification system. Finally, we emphasize the importance of early universal screening and subsequent diagnosis to allow for early treatment of the disorder, at an age when conservative treatments can yield good results.
Laparoscopic Appendectomy (LPSA) is the first choice for appendectomy in pediatric surgery. Trans-Umbilical Laparoscopic Assisted Appendicectomy (TULAA) is another used technique. We compared both these procedures used for the treatment of acute appendicitis. The study was conducted between January 2019 to December 2020. Patients were divided into two groups: LPSA and TULAA groups. The collected data were: operative time, number of conversions, time of canalization and hospital stay. A total of 181 patients were included: 73 were kept in the LPSA and 108 in the TULAA group. Mean operative time was 70.9 minutes (range 45-130 min) for LPS and 56.4 (30-145 min) for TULAA group (p <0.0001). Complications rate showed no statistically significant difference between both the two groups. However, conversions showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.04). Both techniques showed similar results. TULAA technique takes a significantly shorter operating time. The selection between LPSA and TULAA techniques depends on the experience of the surgeon's work and the personal laparoscopic learning curve. In our experience LPSA was a useful technique to improve the laparoscopic skill of the pediatric surgery residents.
The main advantage of the laparo-assisted transanal endorectal pull-through technique (LA - TERPT) for Hirschsprung Disease (HD) is the respect to the rectal-anal anatomy. Postoperative complications have been observed recently. The present study aims to determine how often these postoperative complications occur in these patients. From January 2009 to December 2018, a retrospective analysis was conducted on 36 children (25 males) with HD who underwent LA-TERPT. Data were collected on the age of diagnosis and surgery, sex, the presence of other pathologies, and cases of enterocolitis. In all cases, anorectal manometry (ARM) was performed to evaluate the anal tone. The median age at diagnosis was 2 months and the mean age at surgery was 5 months. Nine related pathologies were identified: five cases of Down syndrome, one case of hypertrophic stenosis of the pylorus, atresia of the esophagus, polydactyly, and anorectal malformation. A patient with total colonic aganglionosis was identified through laparoscopic serummuscular biopsies. Enterocolitis was diagnosed in 7 cases before and 6 after surgery. At follow-up, the complications recorded were: 5 cases of constipation (treated with fecal softeners), one case of anal stenosis (patient with anorectal malformation), 16 cases of soiling (treated with enemas) and 1 child with fecal incontinence (treated with a transanal irrigation system). The ARM was performed in all 36 cases and showed normal anal tone, except for one case with anal hypotonia. LA-TERPT is an important surgical technique for HD. According to the literature, soiling is the most main complication after HD surgery, probably due to "pseudo-incontinence" with normal anal sphincter tone.
Colostrum is a source of growth factors and nutrients aiding newborns in adaptation to extrauterine life. Its clinical use has been investigated as an immunological component to protect, especially preterm newborns, from early infectious complications. This article aims to investigate the current knowledge about the value of colostrum in enhancing mechanisms of intestinal adaptation in patients affected by Short Bowel Syndrome (SBS). A MEDLINE systematic search was conducted. Inclusion criteria were English language and post-operative colostrum administration in animals and humans undergoing bowel resection. From a total of 734, 10 full-text articles were included: 5 studies on animal models, 4 on humans affected by SBS, and 1 study on animal and paediatric populations. Intestinal adaptation was investigated through diverse clinical, morphological, and functional parameters. No clear benefits of colostrum were reported in both populations. Paucity of trials, limited study duration, and heterogeneous conditions led to poorly standardized results. Colostrum tolerability is an encouraging result, but the outcome of colostrum clinical use in short bowel has still to be determined. Further investigations are required to safely promote use of colostrum in nutritional programs. Standard parameters of intestinal adaptation would be required to evaluate the possible role of colostrum in the process.
Although rare, pool suction-drain injuries may result in potentially fatal consequences: risk of drowning due to hair or extremities entrapment, bowel evisceration, hypovolemic shock, and death. We present two case reports: the first patient was entrapped by a suction grate (placed at the bottom of a water park pool), resulting in an extensive circular lesion on his back; the second child was evaluated for foot entrapment by suction. Both patients were discharged after observation with a good prognosis and without complications. Accidents associated with suction systems are little known, for this reason it is important to emphasize primary prevention. While awaiting new technological tools, public awareness and careful supervision are fundamental. European standards and pool circulation systems must be respected, particularly the use of anti-vortex covers, automatic power cut-offs for filtration systems, dual- drain systems, poolside panic buttons, and supervision of swimmers.